Wizards of Waverly Place Vs Suite Life On Deck

Breakdown/Shakedown

Wizards of Waverly Place premiered on the Disney Channel on October 27th 2007 and ran for four seasons. The show was created by Todd J. Greenwald, who also doubles as the show’s producer. Older episodes and newer episodes both run currently on the Disney Channel. They also have a film out and will be filming a second movie as well.

Suite Life On Deck is the follow up series from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody on Disney Channel. It premiered on September 26, 2008 and ran through May 2011. It was created by Danny Kallis and Jim Geoghan, and is currently produced by Irene Dreayer and Pamela Eells O’Connell. Reruns of both series currently run on Disney XD, and reruns of On Deck can also be found on Disney Channel.

Category 1 – Main Characters

Wizards of Waverly Place

Alex Russo
Justin Russo
Max Russo
Harper Finkle
Jerry Russo
Theresa Russo

Suite Life On Deck

Cody Martin
Zack Martin
London Tipton
Bailey Pickett
Marcus Little
Mr. Moseby
Woody Fink
Emma Tutweiller
Kirby Morris
Maya Bennett

Who Wins?

Suite Life On Deck has more main characters than Wizards of Waverly Place; however that does not make the show a winner in that department. Wizards of Waverly Place keeps a pretty simple cast that helps keep the story straight and not feel like you are watching a soap opera. They keep the story basically around one or two people at a time, and that makes the show more rich in the storyline. However, Suite Life On Deck offers does offer more dramatic characters and that can make the show much more fun to watch. I say that they are tied in this matter.

Category 2  – Secondary Characters

Wizards of Waverly Place

Zachary Ezekiel “Zeke” Rosenblatt Beakerman
Mason Greyback
Mr. Laritate
Dean Moriarty
Juliet Van Heusen
Professor Crumbs
Hugh Normous
Monotone Woman
Kelbo Russo
Stevie Nichols
Conscience
Alucard and Cindy Van Heusen
Mr. Stuffleby
Riley
Gertrude “Gigi” Hollingsworth
The Wanabes
“Positive” Nellie Rodriguez
T.J. Taylor
Alfred
Miranda Hampson
Frankie
Officer Lamp
Officer Goblin
The Mummy
Joey
Ronald Longcape Jr
Chancellor Rudie Tootietooie
Dr. Evilini
“Frankingir” Frankie Stein
Jerko Phoenix
Megan Brooke Russo
Daphne
Jennifer “Jenny” Majorheely
Susan
Nancy Lukey
Mantooth
Warren Nichols

The Suite Life On Deck

Addison
Carey Martin
Margaret
Mrs. Pepperman
Connie
Padma
Holden
Mr. Blanket
Arwin Hawkhauser
Old Woman

Who Wins?

Again, just by the amount of secondary characters does not mean a show will win. Unlike with the main cast, Wizards of Waverly Place have overrun their own cast by having more than 20 secondary characters in their show. Suite Life On Deck has a much smaller cast of secondary characters, the size it makes more sense for a show to have. I have to say that Suite Life On Deck has to win in this one category.

Category 3 – Over All Concept

Both shows’ concepts are good, while they attract a different demographic. Disney has managed to come up with two shows that will appeal to a different set of fans and still be able to keep high ratings. Suite Life On Deck is a show that more or less is about rich kids, and many love the idea of fantasy for that show. While Wizards of Waverly Place has magic in it, the cast is more the typical American family which makes them more relatable. Neither show is ground-breaking, yet both are able to be successful due to knowing how to attract their targeted viewers.

Over All Thoughts

Suite Life On Deck is a cute and upbeat show that is full of life mixed in with laughter. While it may at times come off as typical teen shows do, it has a uniqueness. Most shows are not about a cruise ship, and this one is! It will always put a smile on your face, even if you can predict what will happen in most episodes. It is a great choice for the young at heart and tweens.

Wizards of Waverly Place is a true family friendly show that sort of will remind you of Sabrina, The Teen Witch. The cute show has plenty to offer all age groups, and that is something most shows fail at. I really find the concept and storylines always entertaining while never copying a past one. It is one of Disney’s best original series ever, at least in my opinion.

Favorite Episode or Moment?

I really enjoyed the Wizards, On Deck and Hannah Montana crossover episode called Doubled Crossed. It was a unique plot that blended in all three shows well. It was funny, and the characters all stayed true to their own personalities. Disney and the shows’ writers did an outstanding job on that one. Plus, since it crossed over both shows, I say it counts as my favorite for both shows.

Who Wins?

I have to say that this was a tough head-to-head to pick which one would be the winner. It was almost like comparing apples to oranges; they just are so different. Both shows have more strong points than weak ones, and they both have great casts.

That being said, for me Suite Life On Deck wins.

While Wizards of Waverly Place is cute and a great family show, the whole teen witch thing has been down before. That does not mean this show is any less of worth than On Deck, but it does not bring anything new to the table.

Suite Life On Deck, on the other hand did bring something new. A teen cruise is not something that had been done before this show. Basically, it wins for just sticking to the original plan, staying true to the fans, and not switching course over the seasons.

But who do you think is the winner?